Visual History with Ted Post

Interviewed by: Jeremy Kagan

Film and television director Ted Post (Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Magnum Force) discusses his long career on both the silver and small screens, his theater beginnings, and his working philosophies on and off the set.

Initially wanting to be an actor, Ted Post trained with famed acting coach Tamara Daykarhanova until he had the opportunity to work as a director of summer stock theater. Much of his early experience came during World War II while he served in the Army directing theater and musical productions for the troops stationed in Europe. Upon returning from the war, he resumed his theater directing duties, moving up to Broadway, and eventually caught the eye of television producers who subsequently hired him on his first filmed project—an episode of Danger in 1950. From there Post worked steadily on live action television theater shows including Armstrong Circle Theatre, Schlitz Playhouse, and The Ford Television Theatre, until he was offered his first directing spot on a taped series, The Ray Milland Show: Meet Mr. McNulty in 1954.

Post went on to direct a variety of both television and films throughout his career. His television credits include; Waterfront, Perry Mason, Law of the Plainsman, Route 66, The Rifleman, Wagon Train, The Detectives, The Tall Man, The Defenders, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Twilight Zone, Combat!, Monty Nash, Medic, Baretta, Columbo, Ark II, Beyond Westworld, and the pilot of Cagney and Lacey. In addition, he directed over 100 episodes of Peyton Place, the long-running primetime soap. Post has also led an accomplished career in feature films, helming the productions of The Peacemaker (1956), the Clint Eastwood westerns Hang ‘Em High (1968) and Magnum Force (1973), Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), The Baby (1973). Good Guys Wear Black (1978), Go Tell the Spartans (1978), Nightkill (1980), The Human Shield (1992), and his final film, 4 Faces (1999).

For his directorial efforts Post has been nominated for two DGA Awards; for an episode of Waterfront in 1955 and an episode of Medic in 1956. Post was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy for another episode of Waterfront in 1955. Post served on the Western Directors Council from 1971-75, 1980-82, and again from 1992-93. He was also a member of the 1987 Negotiating Committee.